25 Days of Crafts: Jeans Pocket Hot Pads

Jeans Pocket Hot Pads

A thrifty, kitschy gift, these hot pads made from the back pockets of an old pair of jeans combine creativity with the functionality of oven mitts. If you're not averse to using a needle and thread, you'll create a unique gift that has your recipient saying, “That's hot.”

SUPPLIES

Pair of worn or unused jeans — bigger is better

Old pajamas or flannel shirt (all materials should be natural fibers — avoid synthetics to eliminate risk of hot pads melting during use)

Scissors

Needle and embroidery floss (or a lightweight yarn) or a sewing machine and thread

DIRECTIONS

Using an existing hot pad or a square cut from cardboard or paper, trace and cut a square around the jeans pocket that allows for about an inch around the pocket.

For backing, cut out flannel pieces using the same template; the amount of layers will depend on the thickness of flannel. For the hot pads pictured, I used four layers of flannel and an additional layer of denim.

Pin the layers together and use scissors to trim the edges even.

Using needle and floss (or yarn) apply a finish stitch around the hot pad. Or use a sewing machine to sew a contrast binding around the edge. Take scissors, a seam ripper or an X-acto knife and remove a belt loop from the jeans; sew the loop onto the corner of the hot pad.

For a finishing touch, use floss or yarn to embroider a monogram or other design, being careful not to sew the pocket shut.

Variations are endless: felted wool from an old sweater as backing, silk ties as binding. Use your imagination!

Difficulty: Two snowflakes (out of four)

— Staff writer Pam Miller-Jenkins

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